Charles w



UNrTED `STATES 'PATENT OEErCE-.,

vcrmnLEs w. IsBELL, or NEW Yoan, N. Y.

GAS-SCRUBBER'.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters` Patent Nd. 292,491, dated January 29, 1884.

Application tiled November 29, 1852. (No model.) l

'o @ZZ whom it may concern,.- A Be it known that I, CHARLES W. IsBELL,

of the cityand county of 'New York,in the g or washers composed of anumber of chambers or compartments through which the gas and the water pass successively, and preferably in opposite directions, and in which the water ora'mmoniacal liquor is maintained at differ'- cntlevels in the different chambers, and over- -fiows Afrom one chamber to the other.

In such scrubbers the object is not only to wash and scrub the gas, but also to obtain a highly-concentrated ammoniacal liquor, which is advantageous, both because it has a greater commercial value as a waste product of gas manufacture, and' because the more highly concentrated the liquor is the greater its afi nity for the sulphur in the gas and the less the nal purification of the gas by lime that is required; In such lscrubbers the gas, in its passage `through said chambers, passes over surfaces which are wet with the ammoniacal liquor, and such surfaces are formed by groups of thin sheet-metal plates set at a very little distance apart in the groups, whereby a great ex- -tent of surface is afforded.

. The principal objects of my invention are 'to simplify the construction of scrubbers of .the class above mentioned; to afford convenient access to the interior of the scrubber, for the vpurpose of removing and replacing the groups of sheet-metal plates ,to afford'convenient access from the exterior of the scrubber to the overflow boxes or passages, whereby the liquid passes. from one chamber to another, and the proper level is maintained in the sev- ,eral chambers; and to enable thescrubber to be readily added to or enlarged in size'at any time by simply adding one or more chamers and contained. groups of sheet-metal lates.

' To these ends my invention consists in the combination, in a scrubber, of a number of upright chambers, each containing plates arranged in stationary groups, and provided with openings through which they communicateand below said groupspof plates, wherebythe gas is caused to pass upwardithroughthe plates of one chamber and downward through the plates of the next chamber throughout the series; overflow boxes or openings between the chambers for maintaining the desired level of liquor in each, and'l means for raising the liq` uor from the top of said chambers, s o that the plates will be kept constantly wet by the descent of liquor between them. The aforesaid chambers preferablyhave their overflow-openings in their outer sides, and the openings of adjacent chambers are connected by a box or conduit, which may be vtaken off without breaking any other joints, and which forms a trap to prevent the gas from blowing through.

`For convenience of construction, the chant bers are formed iu pairs, each pair forming a distinct and separate structure, and connecting with the chambers of adjacent pairs only by nozzles for the passage of gas, and overflow boxes and traps.

The invention also consists in the combination, with the pairs of chambers, of a novel arrangement of double-acting pumps-one for each pair of chambers-whereby the ammoniacal liquor is circulated from the bottom to the top of the chambers, and whereby provision is afforded for varying the rapidity of the circulation in the several chambers, andthe degree of concentration of the liquor 4in the several chambers controlled.

The invention also consists in various details of construction and combinations of parts,

hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1represents a partly-sectional elevation f a scrubber embodying my invention'. lilig.2 represents a section thereof on the dotted Vlinear x, Fig. l. Fig. 3 represents a plan Aand lpartial horizontalsection of the scrubber; andfFigs `4l and 5 represent sectional detail views upon a larger scale, showing the method of forming the groups of sheet-metal plates. f

Similar'letters of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A designates upright chambers, which may be Vof anysize and shapedesired, and of which any number may be used to form a scrubber of the desired size. As here represented, these directly with each other, alternately,l aboye chambers are formed in pairs, and each pair ICO constitutes a distinct and separate structure, which may be made of cast or wrought iron. The two chambers of each pair are separated from each other by a partition, A.

Vithin the chambers A are arranged plates B, of any suitable material, preferably thin sheet metal, which are arranged very near together, vand which entirely fill the chambers, as shown in Fig. 3.

rlhe manner of securing the plates together is represented in Figs. 4 and 5, they being secured in groups by rivets a, and having washers a interposed between them to hold them at the desired distance apart. The plates may, however, be secured in groupsin any suitable way.

As here represented, the groups of plates B are arranged in three banks or tiers, and are supported on girders B; but more or less than three tiers may be used, according to the height of the scrubber.

C designates the gas-inlet, which communicates with the chamber Aat one end of the scrubber above the plates B therein; and C designates the gas-outlet leading from the chamber at the opposite end of the scrubber above the plates therein.

In each partition A', which separates the chambers of each pair, is a hole or opening, b, below the plates in the chambers, and through which the chambers communicate directly. The chambers A of each pair communicate directly, by means ol' nozzles or openings d, with the chambers of adjacent pairs above the plates B in the chambers. The several chambers may all rest upon thesame foundation, as shown, and may have inclined bottoms, as shown in Fig. 2, so that the tar will all drain to one side, and each chamber communicates, through a pipe, c, provided with a valve or cock, c', with a common conduit, D, for carrying oit' the tar.

I will now describe the means employed for producing a circulation ol' ammoniaeal liquor in the scrubber, premising, however, that other mechanism may be used for the purpose.

E designates the steam or motor cylinder of a direct-acting engine, and F designates double-acting pump-cylinders, one of which is employed in connection with each pair of chambers. The pistons of the steam-engine and pumps are or may be all attached to a common piston-rod, c. Each pump is doubleacting, and the ends of its cylinder are connected by suction-pipes f with the lower portion of the two chambers of each pair, and by the discharge-pipes g with the upper part of both chambers of said pair.

In the suction-pipes f are check-valves f', provided with screws, whereby they may be more or less throttled or held closed altogether, or with ordinary stop-cocks; and in the discharge-pipes g are valves or cocks y. The

upper end of each dischargepipe g enters the chamber, and has a horizontal extension, g2, which is perforated, and the perforations are preferably in the top or upper side thereof, so

that the liquor will be discharged with considerable velocity against the top of chamber, and thereby sprayed over all the groups of 7o the plates B. The liquor trickles down over said plates and keeps their surfaces constantly wet, and returns again to the bottom of the several chambers. The gas enters at the i11- let C and passes downward through and among the groups of plates in the first chamber; thence through the opening b to the other chamber of the pair, and upward through and among the groups of plates of that chamber; thence through the nozzle or opening d to the irst chamber of the next pair, and so on, un' til it makes its exit at the outlet-pipe C. It will be seen that in its passage through the scrubber, the gas passes again and again over the constantly-wet surfaces of the plates B, and is freed from its sulphur and other impurities, which the ammoniacal liquor will remove. Each chamber has upon its side a cover or bonnet, A2, and when the cover is removed access is afforded to all the groups of plates in the chamber, and they may be removed for cleaning or for renewal, and as readily replaced.

From the chamber A, which is provided with the gas-inlet C, there extends a discharge or outlet pipe, la, for the concentrated ammoniacal liquor, and in order to maintain the desired quantity in the several chambers the chamber at the opposite end of the scrubber is provided at the top with the inlet-pipe Ou the sides ofthe several chambers A are overiow openings or apertures j, and the openings or apertures ol' adjacent chambers are connected by overlowboxes G, bolted to the sides ofthe chambers, so that they may be 105 readily removed in case they become clogged, or for any other purpose, without breaking/y any other joints. v

As best shown in Fig. 1, the several overiiow-boxes G are set at different levels, grading 1 1o from the right downward toward the left, and thereby the liquor is made to iiow toward the left in its passage through the serubber,while the gas flows in the opposite direction, or toward the right; hence the gas as it enters 115 comes iirst in contact with the most highlyconcentrated liquor. l

The overflow-boxes G are provided with cen- E tral partitions, 7a, which enable them to serve as traps, and so prevent gas from blowing 12o through and compelling the gas to pass npward and downward through the chambers for l treatment successively by weaker and weakey liquor.

In order to vary or control the degree of 125 concentration which takes place in the several chambers, the speed of the engine may be increased or diminished; or the amount of liquor raised bythe pumps may be varied by opening or closing the valve j" in the suction-pipe 13o f.' Ijn case it is desirable to put one pump or either Vend, of same entirely out of action, I lprovide-each pump F with a pipe, Z, connectin'g its ends and communicating with a pipe,

l', which leads from the gas-space of the scrubber, it being attached to the upper part of one of the overflow-boxes G, or to the chamber below the plates B. In the pipe Z are cocks or valves Z2, and by closing the valve f in the lsuction-pipe f, and g in the discharge-pipe g,

and opening the valves Z2, the pump will be made to draw gas ,from the scrubber and deliver it through the pipes Z Z', thus pumping gas instead of liquor.

It will be seen that any number of chambers or pairs of chambers may be combined to form a scrubber, and at any time other chambers can be bolted onto the nozzles d and connected with the existing chambers and with each other by'overow-boxes G. Thus I provide for very readily increasing the size of the scrubw ber.

If more chambers are added at any time, each pair of chambers should be provided with a pump-cylinder, F, and the piston thereof should be connected withthe common pistonrod e; or each chamber may have its own pump.

What I claim as my invention, secure by Letters Patent, is

I. In a wet-scrubber, the combination of a and desire to l number of upright chambers, each containing plates arranged in stationary groups,and provided with openings through which they communicatewith each other directly, alternately above and below said groups of plates,whe're by the gas is caused to pass upward through the plates of one chamber and downward through the plates ofthe next chamber th rou ghout the series, overflow boxes or openings for maintaining the desired level of liquor` in the several chambers, and means for raising liquor from the bottom to the top of said chambers, so as to obtain a highly-concentrated ammoniacal liquor, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. In a scrubber, the combination of a number of upright chambers, each containing plates arranged in stationary groups and provided with openings through which theyfcommunicate with each other alternately above and be- 4in pairs, the several pairs forming separate and distinct structures, which are connected together by communicating openings or nozzles above said plates, andthe chambers of each pair being in communication below said plates, overIiow-boxes connecting the chambers below said plates, and means for raising liquor from the bottom (if) the top of said chambers, substantially as and for the purpose here.-

in described. Y

4. In'a gas-scrubber, the combination, with two upright chambers containing groups of plates, and provided with overllow-boxes for controlling the level of ammoniacal liquor in them, of a double-actin g circulating-pump havingthe chambers connected below said plates by suction-pipes with the opposite ends of the pump cylinder, and connected above said plates by discharge-pipes with opposite ends of the. pump-cylinder, whereby one pump is made to serve for both chambers, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

5. In a scrubber, the combination of pairs of upright chambers containing groups of plates, and provided with overiiow-boxes for controlling the level of ammoniacal liquor in them, and a double-acting circulating-pump for each pair of chambers having the suction and dischargeof the two ends of the cylinder communicating with the said two chambers, and having pipes leading from the gas-space of the scrubber to the ends of the pump-cylinder, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

onus. w. isBnLL.

Vitnesses FREDK. HAYNEs,

En. L. MORAN. 

